Firefighters to give up raises

Less than a week after Orlando police officers agreed to give up pay raises for the next two years, the firefighters in the cash-strapped city are close to doing the same thing.

If City Hall ultimately reaches a deal with its 500 firefighters, it would save taxpayers another $1.2 million — on top of the $1.3 million saved under the agreement with the cops — and whittle away at the city's deficit.

Under their current labor contract, firefighters are due a 3 percent raise in October. But the fire union has agreed to throw out its contract and negotiate a new one that would largely mirror a deal reached with the police union Friday.

The new deal would eliminate the October raise and any hope of an increase in 2011, then give the firefighters a 3 percent increase in 2012.

The city faces a deficit next year estimated at $24.3 million, and budget planners predict another deficit the following year. Dozens of firefighters narrowly avoided layoffs last year, so they realize the seriousness of the city's financial condition, union president Steve Clelland said.

"It doesn't make or break the city's budget, but it's an expression of good faith in a really bad economy," he said.

The conciliatory moves by Orlando's police and firefighters come as dwindling tax revenues have threatened the jobs of local government workers — even once-untouchable public-safety workers — across the country. Last week, city officials in Oakland, Calif., announced the layoff of 80 police officers after union talks there broke down.

In Orlando, most firefighters and police would still be due "step increases" in salary that are tied to their years of service. And although they give up some pay, a new contract provides a three-year guarantee that their generous benefits package will remain untouched.

Negotiators from the fire union and Mayor Buddy Dyer's administration will meet Friday to discuss a new contract. If a deal is reached, it will then need to be approved in separate votes by the City Council and firefighters. The council is expected to vote Monday on the police contract.

More than 90 percent of Orlando employees are union members. Four unions, including the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Fire Fighters, represent city workers.

The Dyer administration hopes the other two unions — Service Employees International Union and Laborers International Union of North America — consider forgoing raises for the next two years, as well. If all unions agreed, it would save the city $6.3 million next year alone. Representatives of SEIU and LIUNA said no decision has been reached.

The savings could be greater, because city employees who aren't members of unions are typically awarded the same salary increase given to their unionized co-workers — in this case, nothing.

"We're very encouraged by the firefighters coming to the table," chief administrative officer Byron Brooks said. "We think it sends a great message across the organization."